Latest News

Febuary 27, 2025

Awards Banquet - Intalling, Quarteting

Chapter Meeting, Thursday, February 27, 7 PM, Ponders

Spring Convention, Friday-Sunday, March 21-23, Knoxville, TN. Register by Mar. 7th to get the early bird price!

Rockbridge Oaks, Tuesday, March 25, Arrive at 5:15 to sing at 6:00. Uniform: Blue Shirt (long sleeve), khaki pants, black shoes.

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

Gandy: Tony Burns to Daniel Randolph

A good time was had by all at the Installation Dinner this past Monday. Noah Dutton shared his smiling face with us as he performed the administration of the oath.

It was my pleasure to present the President’s award to Daniel Randolph for his work for the Chorus behind the scenes in so many ways: signing in many Quartets, helping with the risers, and simply staying with us with the 15 month old Beckett now monopolizing his time. Plus, he has assumed the duties of Webmaster. Thanks, Daniel.

Thanks to the majority who stood and sang Little Street off the music Thursday. Keep doing your homework and let’s all be off the same page! Until next week, KTWWS. Steve Grubb

A Big Thank You and Hats Off to all members who sang in quartets for our recent Valentines Program! And especially the same to Pete Jones, Business Manager. Pete does an outstanding job year round in all that he does including Valentines! There were a number of very positive thank yous from those enjoying our Valentine songs! Rich Wilson

7:00 PM - Meeting at Ponders.  Song List:

A Little Street Where Old Friends Meet
Blue Skies arr. by Clay Hine
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Georgia On My Mind
God Bless America
Gospel Medley
Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)
Keep The Whole World Singing
Let the Rest of the World Go By
Let's Get Away From It All
When She Loved Me
When There's Love At Home
Yesterday

Spring Contest Songs: Let the Rest of the World Go By and
Let's Get Away From It All

Annual Show (title Songs: A little Street Where Old Friends Meet, Blue Skies, Can You Feel th Love Tonight, Down Our Way, Gospel Medley, Hello Mary Lou, I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Keep The Whole World Singing, Let the Rest of the World Go By, Old Folks at Home, Shenandoah, When She Loved Me, When There's Love at Home, You Tell Me Your Dream. Learning Now: A Little Street Where Old Folks Live, Old Folks at Home

Repertory: Armed Forces Medley, Blue Skies, Can You Feel th Love Tonight, Georgia On My Mind, God Bless America, Gospel Medley, Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart),I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Keep The Whole World Singing, Let the Rest of the World Go By, Let's Get Away From It All, My Wild Irish Rose, The Old Songs, The Star Spangled Banner, When She Loved Me, When There's Love At Home. Yesterday, You Tell Me Your Dream

The Choo Choo Chorus is the performing unit of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

We meet almost every Thursday night at Ponders, 4203 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411.

You can call (423) 265-SING for more information or see our website choochoochorus.org

Newsletter Editor: Steve Wixson, e-mail: swixson@epbfi.com

Febuary 20, 2025

Singing Valentine-James Howard-This and That

Valentine Party, Monday, February 17, see details below.

Chapter Meeting, Thursday, February 20, 7 PM, Ponders

Spring Convention, Friday-Sunday, March 21-23, Knoxville, TN

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

Gandy: Ron Weaver to Tony Burns

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 5:30 to bring food and set up, start eating at 6.
Address: Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive.  Park on the west side (away from highway 153).  Please enter the church from the rear.
Who? All members, plus your spouses, kids, parents, partners, etc., the more the merrier.
Food:
Leads: meat or casseroles;
Basses: veggies or fruit
Tenors: salads
Baris and all others: deserts
Drinks/plates/utensils will be furnished, but please bring serving spoons and forks.

Please plan on everyone singing in at least 1 q’tet, telling Singing Val stories, repeating bad/dad jokes ,etc
Questions? Bill Slack

7:00 PM - Meeting at Ponders.  

Spring Contest Songs: A little Street Where Old Friends Meet, Blue Skies.

Annual Show (title Songs: A little Street Where Old Friends Meet, Blue Skies, Can You Feel th Love Tonight, Down Our Way, Gospel Medley, Hello Mary Lou, I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Keep The Whole World Singing, Let the Rest of the World Go By, Old Folks at Home, Shenandoah, When She Loved Me, When There's Love at Home, You Tell Me Your Dream. Learning Now: A Little Street Where Old Folks Live, Old Folks at Home

Repertory: Armed Forces Medley, Blue Skies, Can You Feel th Love Tonight, Georgia On My Mind, God Bless America, Gospel Medley, Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart),I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Keep The Whole World Singing, Let the Rest of the World Go By, Let's Get Away From It All, My Wild Irish Rose, The Old Songs, The Star Spangled Banner, When She Loved Me, When There's Love At Home. Yesterday, You Tell Me Your Dream

Here are the Singing Valentines statistics for 2025. There were 5 Quartets who made 50 deliveries around Chattanooga,  Cleveland, Dalton and Soddy Daisy. Pete Jones

The Choo Choo Chorus is the performing unit of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

We meet almost every Thursday night at Ponders, 4203 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411.

You can call (423) 265-SING for more information or see our website choochoochorus.org

Newsletter Editor: Steve Wixson, e-mail: swixson@epbfi.com

Febuary 13, 2025

Let's Build Another Show Set

Board Meeting, Monday, February 10, 6 PM, Ponder’s.

Naturalization Ceremony, Tuesday, February 11. Sung by a quartet.

Chapter Meeting, Thursday, February 13, 7 PM, Ponders

Valentine Quarteting, Friday-Saturday, February 14-15.

Valentine Party, Monday, February 17, see details below.

Spring Convention, Friday-Sunday, March 21-23, Knoxville, TN

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26.

Gandy: Pete Jones to Ron Weaver

When: Monday, February 17
Time: 5:30 to bring food and set up, start eating at 6.
Address: Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive.
Who? All members, plus your spouses, kids, parents, partners, etc., the more the merrier.
Food:
Leads: meat or casseroles;
Basses: veggies or fruit
Tenors: salads
Baris and all others: deserts
Drinks/plates/utensils will be furnished, but please bring serving spoons and forks.

Please plan on everyone singing in at least 1 q’tet, telling singing Val stories, repeating bad/dad jokes ,etc
Questions? Bill Slack

I have built show sets since I was a sophomore in high school. In college I helped girls build Homecoming displays (one year the DGs worked and the Chi Omegas didn't and they roasted me royally). For years I volunteered at the Theatre Centre scene shop. Then came barbershop and and my favorite sets are shown above; Hansel and Gretel, Phantom of the Opera, Girls, Girlls, Girls, and Radio.

I would like to build a set for this year's Annual Show. This is not a one person job and I need help to do it. If this interests you, let me know. Thanks, Steve Wixson

7:00 PM - Meeting at Ponders.  

Spring Contest Songs: A little Street Where Old Friends Meet, Blue Skies.

Annual Show (title Songs: A little Street Where Old Friends Meet, Blue Skies, Can You Feel th Love Tonight, Down Our Way, Gospel Medley, Hello Mary Lou, I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Keep The Whole World Singing, Let the Rest of the World Go By, Old Folks at Home, Shenandoah, When She Loved Me, When There's Love at Home, You Tell Me Your Dream. Learning Now: A Little Street Where Old Folks Live, Old Folks at Home

Repertory: Armed Forces Medley, Blue Skies, Can You Feel th Love Tonight, Georgia On My Mind, God Bless America, Gospel Medley, Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart),I'm Sitting On Top Of The World, Keep The Whole World Singing, Let the Rest of the World Go By, Let's Get Away From It All, My Wild Irish Rose, The Old Songs, The Star Spangled Banner, When She Loved Me, When There's Love At Home. Yesterday, You Tell Me Your Dream

A good rehearsal last week with all the Chorus back together. Keep working Little Street and let’s put the music down! Hope you are selling and participating in Singing Valentine’s as much as you can. Pete and Rich are working hard to make it a success.

If all works out, we may soon be doing some impromptu video recording during our rehearsals for members to watch and learn from. Please plan to bring a dish and attend the Installation Dinner on the 27th! Social time together grows a stronger Chorus.

Finally, let me plead once again with all of us to listen to what Jimmy is sharing and actually apply it before his head explodes! Riser etiquette when rehearsing; don’t talk with your neighbor during a song or as instructions are being shared by our Director; work on your music away from rehearsal; engage your face whenever you sing; if you’re singing, you’re performing; and DON’t HUM THE PITCH WHEN THE PIPE IS BLOWN!! Until next time, KTWWS! Seve Grubb

It's Time for SINGING VALENTINES!

Singing Valentines is right up there with our Annual and Christmas Shows in terms of earnings and public awareness. Thanks to Pete and all of our singers for putting together 4 Quartets on Valentines Day Friday and 2 on Saturday! This took some time!

Now the challenge for all of us is to make sure they are busy! Counting 20 stops for Warren & Griffin, we have just a little more than 30 sales so far. We usually have 60 and more! Pete has arranged for 2 radio spots and 1 for TV this week which will help.

By now you have your Poster email from Steve Wixson. Please:

•Send the Poster to all of your "Usual Suspect" email listings and more.

•Distribute any hard copy posters you have to good locations.

•Get on your phone and talk it up with family, friends, neighbors.

•Armed with paper Poster copies and order forms, stop people on the street. You never know if you don't try! (I once tried to sell show tickets to 3 guys in a moving elevator. Didn't work, but I tried!)

•If you need order forms, and convenient, stop by at Ponders a little before 6 this Monday. We are having a Board Meeting. Otherwise, just direct buyers to choochoochorus.org.

•If you have any club meetings this week, take advantage!
Thanks for all of your efforts! Rich Wilson